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Aid to Nicaragua & Panama 3/13/90 [OA 4728]
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Aid to Nicaragua & Panama 3/13/90 [OA 4728]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S; 1999-0186-F; 2004-0722-F; 2005-0992-F; 2004-0728-F;
2004-0728-F; 2005-0989-F
FOIA
M
ARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron Files, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13523
Folder ID Number:
13523-013
Folder Title:
Aid to Nicaragua & Panama 3/13/90 [OA 4728]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
24
25
1
1
PRESS STATEMENT: AID TO NICARAGUA AND PANAMA
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
WE BEGAN THIS ADMINISTRATION BY SAYING THAT THE DAY
OF THE DICTATOR IS OVER. Now RESTLESS MILLIONS HAVE
SPOKEN, AND HAVE ELECTED OR PREPARE To ELECT NEW
GOVERNMENTS -- THEIR GOVERNMENTS.
As LONG AS WE LIVE, THE IMAGES OF THIS REVOLUTION,
THE REVOLUTION OF '89, WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US -- A
PLAYWRIGHT PRESIDENT IN PRAGUE, THE TUMBLING OF THE
BERLIN WALL AND THE CRUMBLING OF A ROMANIAN
DICTATORSHIP.
- 2 -
BUT THIS REVOLUTION LEAVES US WITH A NEW CHALLENGE: HOW
TO BEST SUPPORT NEW-BORN DEMOCRACIES?
THIS CHALLENGE IS UTTERLY UNLIKE THE TASK OF
REBUILDING EUROPE AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR, FOR NO
SINGLE GREAT PLAN WILL DO. WE NEED A FLEXIBLE APPROACH
-- ONE THAT WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH COUNTRY WE SEEK
TO HELP. TODAY I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW WE CAN BEST
HELP TWO NEW DEMOCRACIES IN OUR HEMISPHERE: PANAMA AND
NICARAGUA.
- 3 -
WE SHOULD TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE WAY IN WHICH OUR
LEADERSHIP HELPED THE DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT TAKE HOLD IN
THESE TWO COUNTRIES. BUT THIS IS NO TIME FOR AMERICA
To BASK IN SELF-PRAISE. THESE NATIONS NEED OUR HELP TO
HEAL DEEP WOUNDS INFLICTED BY YEARS OF STRIFE AND
OPPRESSION, YEARS OF LOSS AND DEPRIVATION. WE MUST ACT
-- AND ACT SOON -- TO HELP THE PEOPLES OF THESE NEW
DEMOCRACIES IN TWO GREAT AND HISTORIC TASKS:
RECONSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION.
- 4 -
I'VE TAKEN AN IMPORTANT STEP TODAY. As A
DEMONSTRATION OF OUR RESOLVE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS
OF RECONCILIATION, I JUST SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER To
END THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST NICARAGUA. AMERICANS
ARE DETERMINED TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF NICARAGUA.
NEXT, I AM ASKING THE CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE TO JOIN ME IN CRAFTING A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT TO
HELP BOTH COUNTRIES.
- 5 -
AFTER ALL, BIPARTISANSHIP WORKED WELL LAST YEAR To PUT
THE FOCUS ON FREE ELECTIONS AND END THE FIGHTING IN
NICARAGUA. BIPARTISANSHIP ALSO HELPED BRING AN END To
TYRANNY IN PANAMA. WE NEED To WORK AGAIN IN THAT SAME
SPIRIT To PUT TOGETHER AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR BOTH
COUNTRIES.
I AM PROPOSING THE CREATION OF A FUND FOR
DEMOCRACY, To ASSIST IN THE RECONSTRUCTION AND
DEVELOPMENT OF THESE TWO COUNTRIES.
- 6 -
I AM REQUESTING THE CONGRESS TO APPROVE, BY APRIL 5, A
PACKAGE OF ASSISTANCE OF EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
FOR THESE TWO COUNTRIES, USING FUNDS FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BUDGET. THIS PACKAGE CONSISTS OF
$500 MILLION FOR PANAMA (ALREADY REQUESTED IN MY
JANUARY 25 PROPOSAL TO CONGRESS ALONG WITH $70 MILLION
FOR REFUGEES), AND AN ADDITIONAL $300 MILLION FOR
NICARAGUA.
- 7 -
I AM ASKING THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE SECRETARY OF
THE TREASURY TO WORK TOGETHER ON THE ECONOMIC
ASSISTANCE ASPECTS OF THESE PACKAGES AND To CONSULT
WITH THE CONGRESS. IN ADDITION UNDER EXISTING
AUTHORITIES, I AM INITIATING IMMEDIATE ACTION TO
PROVIDE $21 MILLION OF PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED ECONOMIC
AID, PRINCIPALLY FOR FOOD AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.
budget gmendment
- 8 -
I ALSO WILL BE SENDING TO THE CONGRESS IN THE FUTURE A
REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL $200 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR
'91 FOR NICARAGUA, CONSISTENT WITH THE APPROACH WE HAVE
TAKEN THIS YEAR.
- 9 -
MOREOVER, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET, TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS IMMEDIATELY WITH THE
CONGRESS ON MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE OFFSETS FROM THE
DEFENSE BUDGET THAT CAN BE USED FOR THIS DEMOCRACY
FUND, WITHOUT HAVING AN UNACCEPTABLE IMPACT ON NATIONAL
SECURITY. I FURTHER PROPOSE THAT, IN THE EVENT THAT AN
AGREEMENT ON OFFSETS CANNOT BE REACHED BY MARCH 27, THE
CONGRESS AUTHORIZE ME To SELECT OFFSETS FROM THE
DEFENSE BUDGET.
- 10 -
SHOULD NEITHER OF THESE ALTERNATIVES PROVE TO BE
WORKABLE, I AM PREPARED, BECAUSE OF THE DIRE NEED FOR
THESE FUNDS, TO ASK FOR A WAIVER OF THE BUDGET ACT To
ALLOW THIS CRITICAL PROGRAM TO PROCEED ON THE REQUIRED
TIMETABLE.
I URGE THE CONGRESS TO MOVE QUICKLY, AND ALSO URGE
IN THE STRONGEST TERMS THAT IT NOT ADD ANY EXTRANEOUS
ITEMS TO THIS REQUEST. IT IS URGENT TO ADVANCE THE
PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND RECONCILIATION IN NICARAGUA
- 11 -
AND PANAMA. DAMAGE TO BOTH ECONOMIES HAS BEEN GREAT.
WE MUST HELP AND WE WANT TO HELP. OUR HELP IS NEEDED
SWIFTLY TO BRING ABOUT DEMILITARIZATION AND ADVANCE THE
CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE PROCESS. IF BIPARTISANSHIP
PREVAILS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THIS GOAL, AND
RESPOND TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF OUR NEIGHBORS.
LET ME SAVE THE DETAILS FOR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
BRIEFINGS, AND GIVE YOU THE THREE BROAD CATEGORIES OF
- 12 -
ASSISTANCE: AID FOR DEMOCRACY, FOR DEVELOPMENT AND FOR
DEMILITARIZATION.
WE WANT TO HELP DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS TAKE ROOT
IN EACH COUNTRY. BUT DEMOCRACY BEGINS WITH THE RULE OF
LAW AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. IT NEEDS THE SUPPORT
OF COURTS THAT ARE FAIR AND FREE OF EVERY INFLUENCE BUT
THE LAW.
- 13 -
IT NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF POLICE FORCES THAT ARE UPRIGHT
AND HONEST. AND IT NEEDS OUR SUPPORT.
DEVELOPMENT AND DEMILITARIZATION GO HAND IN HAND.
THEY START WHEN WE PROVIDE TEXTBOOKS FOR CHILDREN; WHEN
WE CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS; WHEN THE HAND THAT
HELD A GUN GUIDES A PLOW. IN SHORT, AS WE DEMOBILIZE
THE MILITARY, WE MUST MOBILIZE THE MARKET.
THIS IS A GREAT AND HISTORIC TASK. BUT WE ARE
INSPIRED BY THE COURAGE OF OUR NEIGHBORS.
- 14 -
WE ARE CLOSE, SO VERY CLOSE, TO A HEMISPHERE THAT IS
COMPLETELY DEMOCRATIC -- A COMPASS OF FREEDOM THAT
SPANS HALF THE WORLD, FROM ALASKA TO ARGENTINA.
IN FACING THIS ENORMOUS CHALLENGE, WE ARE NOT
ALONE. OTHER NATIONS CAN AND MUST HELP. BUT ONLY
AMERICA CAN TAKE THE LEAD. I STAND PREPARED TO WORK
WITH THE CONGRESS TO DO OUR PART FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND
RECONCILIATION -- FOR DEMOCRACY.
AND NOW, I WOULD DELIGHTED TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS.
# # #
!R! CASS 1; EXIT;
Davis/Martin
Title: Nicama
March 12, 1990
Draft: Three
PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT: AID TO NICARAGUA AND PANAMA
We began this Administration by saying that the day of the
dictator is over. Now restless millions have spoken, and have
elected or prepare to elect new governments -- their governments.
As long as we live, the images of this revolution, the
Revolution of '89, will always be with us -- a playwright
President in Prague, the tumbling of the Berlin Wall and the
crumbling of a Romanian dictatorship. But this Revolution leaves
us with a new challenge: how to best support new-born
democracies?
This challenge is utterly unlike the task of rebuilding
Europe after the Second World War, for no single great plan will
do. We need a flexible approach -- one that will meet the needs
of each country we seek to help. Today I want to speak about how
we can best help two new democracies in our hemisphere: Panama
and Nicaragua.
We should take great pride in the way in which our
leadership helped the democratic spirit take hold in these two
countries. But this is no time for America to bask in self-
praise. These nations need our help to heal deep wounds
inflicted by years of strife and oppression, years of loss and
deprivation. We must act -- and act soon -- to help the peoples
2
of these new democracies in two great and historic tasks:
Reconstruction and reconciliation.
I've taken an important step today. As a demonstration of
our resolve to be part of the process of reconciliation, I just
signed an executive order to end the economic embargo against
Nicaragua. Americans are determined to help the people of
Nicaragua.
Next, I am asking the Congress and the American people to
join me in crafting a bipartisan agreement to help both
countries. After all, bipartisanship worked well last year to
put the focus on free elections and end the fighting in
Nicaragua. Bipartisanship also helped bring an end to tyranny in
Panama. We need to work again in that same spirit to put
together an assistance program for both countries.
I am proposing the creation of a fund for democracy, to
assist in the reconstruction and development of these two
countries. I am requesting the Congress to approve, by April 5,
a package of assistance of eight hundred million dollars for
these two countries, using funds from the Department of Defense
budget. This package consists of $500 million for Panama
(already requested in my January 25 proposal to Congress along
with $70 million for refugees), and an additional $300 million
for Nicaragua. I am asking the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of the Treasury to work together on the economic
assistance aspects of these packages and to consult with the
Congress. In addition under existing authorities, I am
3
initiating immediate action to provide $21 million of previously
appropriated economic aid, principally for food and humanitarian
assistance. I also will be sending to the Congress in the future
a request for an additional $200 million in Fiscal Year '91 for
Nicaragua, consistent with the approach we have taken this year.
Moreover, I have instructed the Secretary of Defense and the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to begin
negotiations immediately with the Congress on mutually acceptable
offsets from the Defense Budget which can be used for this
democracy fund, without having an unacceptable impact on national
security. I further propose that, in the event that an agreement
on offsets cannot be reached by March 27, the Congress authorize
me to select offsets from the Defense Budget. Should neither of
these alternatives prove to be workable, I am prepared, because
of the dire need for these funds, to ask for a waiver of the
Budget Act to allow this critical program to proceed on the
required timetable.
I urge the Congress to move quickly, and also urge in the
strongest terms that it not add any extraneous items to this
request. It is urgent to advance the prospects for democracy and
reconciliation in Nicaragua and Panama. Damage to both economies
has been great. We must help and we want to help. Our help is
needed swiftly to bring about demilitarization and advance the
Central American peace process. If bipartisanship prevails, we
will be able to meet this goal, and respond to the expectations
of our neighbors.
4
Let me save the details for Congressional committee
briefings, and give you the three broad categories of assistance:
aid for democracy, for development and for demilitarization.
We want to help democratic institutions take root in each
country. But democracy begins with the rule of law and respect
for human rights. It needs the support of courts that are fair
and free of every influence but the law. It needs the support of
police forces that are upright and honest. And it needs our
support.
Development and demilitarization go hand in hand. They
start when we provide textbooks for children; when we create
thousands of new jobs; when the hand that held a gun guides a
plow. In short, as we demobilize the military, we must mobilize
the market.
This is a great and historic task. But we are inspired by
the courage of our neighbors. We are close, so very close, to a
hemisphere that is completely democratic -- a compass of freedom
that spans half the world, from Alaska to Argentina.
In facing this enormous challenge, we are not alone. Other
nations can and must help. But only America can take the lead.
I stand prepared to work with the Congress to do our part for
reconstruction and reconciliation -- for democracy.
And now, I would delighted to take your questions.
#
#
#
1701
6:30
JM.
Davis/Martin
Title: Nicama
March 12, 1990
Draft: Two
PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT: AID TO NICARAGUA AND PANAMA
We began this Administration by saying that the day of the
dictator is over. Now restless millions have spoken, and have
elected or prepare to elect new governments -- their governments.
As long as we live, the images of this revolution, the
Revolution of '89, will always be with us -- a playwright
President in Prague, the tumbling of the Berlin Wall and the
crumbling of a Romanian dictatorship. But this Revolution leaves
us with a new challenge: how to best support new-born
democracies?
This challenge is utterly unlike the task of rebuilding
Europe after the Second World War, for no single great plan will
do. We need a flexible approach -- one that will meet the needs
of each country we seek to help. Today I want to speak about how
we can best help two new democracies in our hemisphere: Panama
and Nicaragua.
We should take great pride in the way in which our
leadership helped the democratic spirit take hold in these two
countries. But this is no time for America to bask in self-
praise. These nations need our help to heal deep wounds
inflicted by years of strife and oppression, years of loss and
deprivation. We must act -- and act soon -- to help the peoples
2
of these new democracies in two great and historic tasks:
Reconstruction and reconciliation.
As A DEMONSTRATION of OUR RESOLVE TO
85 PART of THE
I've taken an important step today. 1 I just signed an
RECONCILIATION
executive order to end the economic embargo against Nicaragua.
PROCESS,
Americans are determined to help the people of Nicaragua.
Next, I am asking the Congress and the American people to
join me in crafting a bipartisan agreement to help both
countries. After all, bipartisanship worked well last year to
PUT THE FOCUS ON FREE ELECTIONS AND END THE FIGHTING IN NICARROOA. BIPARTISANSHIP ALSO HELPED BRING AN END TO
give emergency aid to Panama. We need to work again in that same TYRANNY
IN
spirit to put together an assistance program for both countries. PANAMA.
So I am proposing the creation of a fund for democracy. I
am transmitting to Congress an assistance request for Nicaragua
of three hundred million dollars. This would be in addition to
the proposals that I have already transmitted of five hundred
REPLACE
million dollars for Panama and seventy million dollars for
refugees. The total package of eight hundred and seventy million
with
dollars will be offset by using funds from the Department of
A
Defense. Therefore, I have instructed Secretary of Defense
Cheney and Director of OMB Darman to work with Congress on
finding mutually acceptable offsets. And I request that Congress
approve this package by April 5.
This task is tough one; but it's not beyond our abilities -
- if we work together. We can find these funds without
compromising our national security. I call on Congress to move
quickly, and avoid bogging down this measure with extraneous
A
A
What I am proposing is creation of a fund for democracy, to
assist in the reconstruction and development of these two
countries. I am requesting the Congress to approve, by April 5,
a package of assistance of eight hundred million dollars for
these two countries, using funds from the Department of Defense
budget. This package consists of $500 million for Panama
(already requested in my January 25 proposal to Congress along
with $70 million for refugees), and an additional $300 million
for Nicaragua. I am asking the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of the Treasury to work together on the economic
assistance aspects of these packages and to consult with the
Congress. In addition under existing authorities, I am
initiating immediate action to provide $21 million of previously
appropriated economic assistance, principally for food and
humanitarian assistance. I also will be sending to the Congress
in the future a request for an additional $200 million in FY91
for Nicaragua, consistent with the approach we have taken this
year.
Moreover, I have instructed the Secretary of Defense and and
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to begin
negotiations immediately with the Congress on mutually acceptable
offsets from the Defense Budget which can be used for this
democracy fund, without having an unacceptable impact on
national security. I further propose that, in the event that
agreement on offsets cannot be reached by March 27, the Congress
authorize me to select offsets from the Defense Budget. Should
neither of these alternatives prove to be workable, I am
prepared, because of the dire need for these funds, to ask for a
waiver of the Budget Act to allow this critical program to
proceed on the required timetable.
I urge the Congress to move quickly, and also urge in the
strongest terms that it not add any extraneous items to this
request. It is urgent to advance the prospects for democracy and
reconciliation in Nicaragua and Panama. Damage to both economies
has been great. We must help and we want to help. Our help is
needed swiftly to bring about demilitarization and advance the
Central American peace process. If bipartisanship prevails, we
will be able to meet this goal, and respond to the expectations
of our neighbors.
3
amendments. If an agreement cannot be reached by March 27, I ask
Congress to authorize me to select the offsets.
I
[And if none of these alternatives prove to be workable, I am
prepared to ask for/a waiver of the Budget Act. KHistory will not
wait. We cannot delay America's support for these two new
democracies
Let me save the details for Congressional committee
briefings, and give you the three broad categories of assistance:
aid for democracy, for development and for demilitarization.
We want to help democratic institutions take root in each
country. But democracy begins with the rule of law and respect
for human rights. It needs the support of courts that are fair
and free of every influence but the law. It needs the support of
police forces that are upright and honest. And it needs our
support.
Development and demilitarization go hand in hand. They
start when we provide textbooks for children; when we create
thousands of new jobs; when the hand that held a gun guides a
plow. In short, as we demobilize the military, we must mobilize
the market.
This is a great and historic task. But we are inspired by
the courage of our neighbors. We are close, so very close, to a
hemisphere that is completely democratic -- a compass of freedom
that spans half the world, from Alaska to Argentina.
In facing this enormous challenge, we are not alone. Other
nations can and must help. But only America can take the lead.
4
I stand prepared to work with the Congress to do our part for
reconstruction and reconciliation -- for democracy.
And now, I would delighted to take your questions.
#
#
#